(AllHipHop News) Taraji P. Henson wants to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the African-American community.
The “Empire” actress has spoken openly about her struggles with anxiety and depression in the past, and told Self magazine in a new interview she hopes speaking out about her battle will influence people to be more open to their mental health.
“In the African-American community, we don’t talk about mental health. It’s a stigma surrounding it,” she explained. “We’re just not allowed to be vulnerable, we have to be strong all the time. This is 400 years of damage, 400 years of trauma, that we have not dealt with.”
Recognizing her own symptoms as, “mood swings… feeling really awkward in my skin, feeling out of sorts,” the star insisted she never felt ashamed as she came to terms with what was happening.
“For me, there was no shame when I started to recognize it,” she said. “It was like, I have to get some help because I’m the life of the party and when I go dark I go dark. I don’t want to leave the house and my friends started to notice me pulling back.”
In fact, the 49-year-old added she “felt such a relief” when she decided to speak out publicly about her depression, reflecting: “I was drowning, and once I spoke my truth, I started to float back.”
Blo5k Lil A and Bla5er recently unleashed their joint mixtape called Tha 5, via their label LSMG which stands for Last Supper Music Group.
The 14-track project features an A-side and B-side to reflect both artists’ sounds, with production by Zaytoven, J Reid, Murda On Da Track, and Quay Global.
The 5 in their names represent the Bloods and they rock the color red in their everyday lives. The group’s music entails both the struggle and motivation, creating hard-hitting bangers to turn up in the clubs and the functions.
AllHipHop: For those who don’t know, who is Bla5er& Blo5k Lil A?
Blo5k Lil A: My name is Blo5k Lil A, don’t forget the 5.
Bla5er: I’m Bla5er, I am who I am. From down 20 East, somewhere on the outskirts of Atlanta. I’m not from Atlanta, I’m from the outskirts.
AllHipHop: What were you guys seeing growing up in the outskirts of Atlanta?
Bla5er: It was country, different kinds of s##t. When I was growing up, we used to steal s##t. For real, all types of s##t.
Blo5k Lil A: I’m from Zone 3, Atlanta Blvd. Hey man, I seen a lot of things. Seen a lot of money in Atlanta, seen a lot of drug dealing in Atlanta. A lot of stuff is going on in Atlanta.
AllHipHop: How important is it to come to LA as an up and coming artist?
Bla5er: It’s very important man. You got folks from out here who go out there to go to Atlanta, it’s a different kind of outreach. It’s like you’re reaching from both sides, like “okay we alright down this way.” We f##k with it.
Blo5k Lil A: Networking. Keep expanding your network. Expand your network, expand your net worth!
AllHipHop: Favorite part about the West Coast?
Both: The weed!
AllHipHop: At what point did you realize this music thing was for real?
Bla5er: Music has always been a part of our lives, even growing up. I came into this s##t. I’m a fan of all music, I just love music ever since I was little. Growing up, I was bumping Master P. I was a fan of Twista back in the day, Twista used to be hard. I was a fan of him. I was a fan of all different kinds of music back then.
Blo5k Lil A: When did music start to get serious? Probably 5 or 6 years ago, it got serious. I’ve been serious about it, but I had just got into a situation. The label tried to get me out of trouble… just staying out of trouble. Well, I wasn’t signed. I was just messing with my mans. More of a handshake deal with my man Snipe in Atlanta. Then I met my mans Bla5er and we got this name L.S.M.G. going crazy in Atlanta.
AllHipHop: What’s the inspiration behind your names?
Blo5k Lil A: I’m from the block. I’m outside.
Bla5er: We’re outside.
Blo5k Lil A: You don’t see the color we rocking? [all-red sweatsuits] It’s what we stand on.
AllHipHop: The Bloods?
Both: Fasho.
AllHipHop: Ya’ll still in the streets?
Bla5er: Nah, we legitimate rappers baby.
Blo5k Lil A: We ain’t in the streets, we legitimate. I don’t know what you’re talking about, we don’t do no street stuff.
AllHipHop: Was it hard to walk away from the streets?
Bla5er: Sometimes, it can be an addiction. You might be addicted to the lifestyle, etc.
Blo5k Lil A: [shrugs] I wouldn’t say it was hard, but it was a little change.
Bla5er: You want better.
Blo5k Lil A: Exactly, when you know in your head you want better.
AllHipHop: “Feels Good” is a banger. Bring us back to that recording session.
Both: Fasho, we were in there feeling good. [chuckles]
Blo5k Lil A: It had a feel good vibe to it.
Bla5er: It feels good! We just came out of there like “it feels good!” Then we went “there it go.” It just went like that, it feels good.
AllHipHop: What was your reaction when you heard it on the radio?
Bla5er: I just started catching it. A lot of people said it was on there, but I just never caught it because I don’t listen to the radio. Not for real.
Blo5k Lil A: Radio, that s##t ain’t really nothing. Radio ain’t a whole lot of nothing. We’re trying to hit Top 10, we’ll talk about radio later on.
AllHipHop: It’s in the clubs too!
Bla5er: They play that s##t in Atlanta. In the clubs, it’s heavy.
AllHipHop: Bla5er, talk about linking with Lil Baby on “Beat Up”.
Bla5er: Homie did his thang in the studio. We linked through mutual people, I knew a guy who knew a guy. He a stand-up guy, I got nothing bad to say about Baby. You got your rappers who want to act stiff, act like some hoes. Then you got ones like him. He f##ks with everyone around him. Don’t want no one around him, but he’s a people person.
AllHipHop: What is it you want fans to get from your story?
Both: The truth.
Blo5k Lil A: We the truth, we the hardest. We the vibes. Go listen, we the struggle. There’s motivation in it.
Bla5er: The truth.
AllHipHop: At what point did you guys realize you wanted to be a duo?
Blo5k Lil A: That’s my brother. Not my blood brother, but my blood brother.
Bla5er: We twins.
AllHipHop: What are some goals yourself as an artist at this point of your career?
Bla5er: Elevation.
AllHipHop: How important is social media for your career?
Blo5k Lil A: Social media is very important. You want to know why? It expands your reach. Anything that expands your reach… it can expand anything. It makes it way more easier to say what you have to say, sell things you’re trying to sell on social media. Without social media, I believe everybody’s network will fall and collapse. Advertising, all that, whatever you want to call it.
Bla5er: Big facts.
Blo5k Lil A: You shut down all that s##t right now, the whole world will collapse.
AllHipHop: What’s a normal day in the life? Walk us through.
Bla5er: We get high and rap. Eat, rap, and do it again.
Blo5k Lil A: Yeah, go to the studio. We in the studio 24/8, swear to God.
Bla5er: On Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, when you call my phone at 7 o’clock, we working. We go back to the studio everyday.
Blo5k Lil A: Working. We grinding. When we wake up, we lit. When we go to sleep, we lit. Everything lit.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio?
Blo5k Lil A: Marijuana, microphone, a vibe.
Bla5er: Ding dong, gotta have the vibe in the studio.
Blo5k Lil A: An engineer and some beats.
AllHipHop: What would you be doing if you weren’t doing music?
Blo5k Lil A: In the trap.
Bla5er: Just tryna slang a whole bell. I be in Texas right now tryna get me a whole P.
Blo5k Lil A: We gon’ rope the hurdle.
Bla5er: $350 a P, can’t beat that game.
AllHipHop: How’s the trap money compared to the music money?
Bla5er: Music money is more consistent.
Blo5k Lil A: And legit. You can spend it how you want to spend it.
Bla5er: Without nobody telling me or worrying about how I spend it.
AllHipHop: Who is in your Top 5 right now?
Bla5er: Me and Bla5er. We the hardest.
Blo5k Lil A: That’s it, just us. You said our Top 5, we the Top 5. We the 5.
Bla5er: Dead or alive. It’s not that we’re being cocky or arrogant, it’s that we’re very confident.
AllHipHop: What can we expect next?
Blo5k Lil A: Some good music. Some good videos.
Bla5er: Videos, videos, videos. Visuals, visuals, visuals. Tha 5 out right now, go get it!
(AllHipHop News) Oprah Winfrey is teaming up with Apple TV+ to executive produce a documentary about an assault in the music industry.
The 65-year-old media mogul will mastermind the untitled documentary, set for a 2020 release, about “a notable figure in the music industry,” reads a press release.
“The film is a profound examination of race, gender, class, and intersectionality, and the toll assaults take on their victims and society at large,” it continues.
Oscar-nominated filmmakers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering will helm the project, with production company Impact Partners also working on the program.
In addition to her work on this documentary, Winfrey also announced earlier this year that she and British royal Prince Harry have teamed up for a docuseries about mental health, which is also set to debut next year on the streaming service.
(AllHipHop Rumors) Griselda Records must be doing incredibly well, because the dude that started everything has decided to call it quits! The history of rappers and retirement only goes to show you that rappers really don’t retire! But for argument’s sake, lets entertain this. Westside Gunn says he is going to stop rapping in the upcoming year. He proclaims he’s given us gift after gift after gift. And there is one more to go.
Well, what a way to go out? He’s got a dope project with MadLib coming out and it already has our trigger fingers itchy! What do you think about him calling himself the new King of New York? Not certain about, but I also cannot say who is the KONY! One thing is for certain, Westside is making a lot of money just to even utter the word “retirement.”
(AllHipHop News) French Montana has credited music for “keeping his spirit alive” following his stay in hospital last month after suffering a health emergency.
The “Unforgettable” hitmaker spent the weekend in intensive care, days after police responded to a false robbery alarm at his home in Calabasas, California on November 21st and found him suffering from cardiac issues and nausea – before insisting he seek immediate treatment.
After finally being discharged from the ICU on Thanksgiving, the musician provided more good news when he announced he would be dropping his new album MONTANA on Friday.
In a heartfelt social media post, he penned: “CANT KEEP ME DOWN !! Been workin hard on my new album and I’m so proud to announce it’s coming THIS FRIDAY !!! #MONTANA The music is keepin my spirit alive. THANK YOU to my fans, love y’all for ridin with me thru this journey.
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Lil Nas X and pop star Normani have been tipped for big things in 2020 after landing mentions on Forbes magazine’s annual 30 Under 30 list.
The list, made up of those under the age of 30, highlights people to watch in the coming year and was collated by a group of 30 Under 30 alumni, including The Chainsmokers and 21 Savage.
21 was blown away by Lil Nas X’s monumental year following the huge success of his Grammy-nominated debut single, “Old Town Road.”
Explaining the 20-year old’s inclusion, Savage says, “He’s got a lot of potential (for more). He broke all types of records with one song – his first song.”
The Chainsmokers were also full of praise for Latin Grammy winner Maluma, 25.
“Maluma is a force to be reckoned with,” they explain to Forbes. “His creativity and showmanship has been unmatched this year.”
To qualify for the 30 Under 30 list, stars have to be under the age of 30 as the year ends, and can’t have featured on the previous Forbes lists.
The Dream Chasers head is now bringing awareness to Antwon Rose II, an unarmed 17-year-old honor roll student who was fatally shot by an East Pittsburgh police officer on June 19, 2018. Meek’s record label posted a Public Service Announcement narrated by Rose’s mother Michelle Kenney.
“My hope is this PSA will inspire people to come together and create change in our communities. Our country needs more communication and understanding – not hate and division – so it’s important that we collectively start the conversation and work to leave a lasting impact for future generations,” states Meek Mill.
In the video, Kenney calls for law enforcement officials and the public to establish events or activities that help cops get to know the community they police. She also suggests that there needs to be more understanding and respect on both sides.
“I’m very grateful that Meek Mill and the Dream Chasers put this PSA together about Antwon and highlighted the need for universal respect. To make our communities better, we must show each other more love, care, generosity, and empathy. I’m proud that Meek is using his platform to send that positive message and honor my son,” says Michelle Kenney.
This is the second Public Service Announcement from The Responsibility Program. It follows a Players Coalition’s PSA released in November around Danroy “DJ” Henry, the former Pace University football player who was killed by a police officer on October 17, 2010 in Mount Pleasant, New York.
The Responsibility Program is led by Team ROC which is the philanthropic arm of Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s Roc Nation company. Different community leaders and organizations are partnering with The Responsibility Program to share the stories of parents whose children were victims of police brutality and gun violence.
(AllHipHop News) Rapper/producer Russ is often in the news for sharing his views on the music industry and occasionally confronting his peers at music festivals. The New Jersey-born, Atlanta-based performer is now turning his attention solely back to releasing a project.
Russ is set to drop his third major-label album, Shake The Snow Globe,on January 31, 2020. The set will be available for pre-order beginning this Friday, December 6.
In addition, Russ is headlining a North American tour that kicks off in Seattle on May 1 and closes out in Atlanta on June 26. Every ticket purchased for US dates of the “Shake The Globe Tour” includes a Shake The Snow Globe CD.
The latest effort from Russ follows his previous albums There’s Really A Wolf (2017) and Zoo (2018). There’s Really A Wolf is certified Platinum by the RIAA. Both projects peaked in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Earlier this year, Russ dropped the Boi-1da and Jahaan Sweet produced single “Best On Earth” featuring Bia. The track got a major co-sign when entertainment megastar Rihanna called it her “new fav song.” Russ also released the self-help bookIt’s All In Your Headin 2019.
(AllHipHop News) The Griselda collective just released their WWCD compilation album to critical acclaim. Conway The Machine, Benny The Butcher, and Westside Gunn were praised for their lyrical excellence.
While it appears the Buffalo representatives are a step closer to breaking out as figures on a more mainstream level, one member is already contemplating putting his pen down for good. Westside Gunn took to Instagram to confirm an upcoming project and announce his pending retirement from rap.
The Flygod Is An Awesome God and Hitler Wears Hermes VII creator wrote:
Well Since MADLIB told y’all…. YES the WSG x MADLIB Project is dropping 2020, in 19’ I gave y’all Awesome GOD, HWH7, and WWCD soon as the ball drop I’m right back on the N…. necks #FLYGOD #LEGEND #THENEWKINGOFNY #BUFFALOKIDS #RocNation #Culture #GXFR and Please go support HWH7 and WWCD were making HISTORY btw 2020 my last year rapping I’m going down as one of the Illest Ever
Madlib joined Freddie Gibbs for 2019’s Bandana which is on many Hip Hop aficionados’ shortlist for Album Of The Year. The producer and the emcee are reportedly working on another LP tentatively titled Montana. Madlib has also collaborated with J Dilla, MF Doom, Talib Kweli, M.E.D, Blu, and others on full bodies of work.
(AllHipHop News) One of Tekashi 6ix9ine’s many feuds included the “Gummo” rapper beefing with his TenThousand Projects labelmate Trippie Redd. A former close associate of the New Yorker born Daniel Hernandez is claiming the clash was manufactured.
The alleged Nine Trey Blood gang member is now asking a judge to throw out his guilty verdict. On Monday, convicted co-defendant Aljermiah “Nuke” Mack also filed a motion to overturn his conviction.
Court documents obtained by AllHipHop claim Ellison worked as Tekashi’s security. The docs suggest Ellison defended 6ix9ine during a “staged claimpublicity beef” with Trippie Redd.
6ix9ine took the stand during Ellison and Mack’s trial to testify against them. At one point, Tekashi swore that he ordered a beatdown of Trippie Redd and Ellison eventually punched the Ohio-bred artist in the mouth.
“Hernandez simply had no credibility, especially in light of the fact that he orchestrated a bizarre series of events that culminated in him taking pictures at a hospital after the alleged kidnapping which he then immediately sent to TMZ,” wrote Ellison’s lawyers, Devereaux Cannick and Calvin Scholar, in a motion to Manhattan federal court Judge Paul Engelmayer.
This latest turn in the Tekashi 6ix9ine legal saga comes the same week that Trippie Redd earned his first #1 album. A Love Letter To You 4 debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart with 104,000 album units.
(AllHipHop News) The Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige and Bad Boy Entertainment founder Sean “Diddy” Combs are set to executive produce an upcoming documentary about the iconic singer. MJB’s film will premiere on Amazon Prime Video.
The Amazon Studios/Entertainment One release will be directed by Academy Award-winning producer Vanessa Roth (Freeheld). Blige’s past struggles with poverty, abuse, addiction, and heartbreak will be part of the doc. Her special My Life 25-year anniversary tour will be featured as well.
“We all know Mary J. Blige as the two-time Oscar nominee, Grammy Award-winning, multi-hyphenate who has sold over 80 million records,” stated Matt Newman, Co-Head of Movies at Amazon Studios. “But through this documentary, audiences will see a raw and honest side of Mary J. Blige opening up about her personal journey of redemption and healing.”
Mary J. Blige’s acting and songwriting in Netflix’s Mudbound earned her two Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Song in the same year. She is also a 9-time Grammy Award winner, 12-time Billboard Music Award winner, and 4-time American Music Award winner.
The My Life album came out in 1994. Blige’s sophomore studio LP is widely considered one of the greatest R&B projects of all time. Singles such as “Mary Jane (All Night Long)” and “I’m Goin’ Down” are viewed as classic records by many music historians.
“I have long admired Mary as an artist, an icon, and a strong, fearless woman. The story of her life has inspired us enormously and we are thrilled to be making this project with her and her team, [Ashaunna Ayars and Nicole Jackson of Blue Butterfly]. Mary’s album My Life is both iconic and tremendously impactful, we hope that by bringing it to screens we can continue to inspire audiences around the world as her music has done for decades,” stated Tara Long, eOne’s President of Global Unscripted, Television.
(AllHipHop News) Today (December 4) is Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s 50th birthday. Hip Hop fans are celebrating the billionaire emcee on Twitter by promoting the trending topics #HOV50 and #1TakeHov.
In addition, Jay’s supporters can now listen to the Roc Nation founder’s music on Spotify. Hov reportedly pulled his discography from the streaming platform in 2017 after buying rival company Tidal in 2015.
Jay had also removed his catalog from Apple Music. The highly influential The Blueprint album series returned to that streamer in May. Apple Music users also have access to other Jigga albums like Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life, The Black Album, American Gangster, and Watch The Throne.
(AllHipHop News) The Cephus household found itself in another scandal yesterday. 6ix9ine’s girlfriend, Jade, posted a video seeming to show that Kiari “Offset” Cephus DM’d her on Instagram. The message read, “Miss u fr.”
Cardi B then insisted her husband was hacked. Over several hours, the “Bodak Yellow” hitmaker posted videos attempting to prove that Offset was not the person that sent that direct message to the woman she is accused of assaulting at a New York City strip club.
In one clip, Cardi said, “Babe, I know you’ve done some dumb sh*t, everybody knows he’s done some dumb sh*t, but c’mon, n*ggas ain’t dumb, n*ggas ain’t crazy.” She added, “We’ve been so good. We had a sweet weekend, life has been good.”
Offset later got on Cardi’s Instagram Story to present more evidence that the Grammy nominee claimed proves he was actually hacked. The Migos member filmed an email that apparently confirms he does not currently have access to his Instagram account.
“Go to my email, boom. Somebody hacked one of my emails that’s connected to all my sh*t. And that’s how I got hacked from the jump,” stated Offset. “I’ve been having a good weekend. I wake up to the bullsh*t. I’m with my family. I ain’t on no stupid sh*t.”
(AllHipHop News) Cardi B is firing back at gossip linking her husband Offset to texts with jailed rapper Tekashi 6Ix9Ine’s girlfriend, insisting her man’s Instagram has been hacked.
Jade, who Offset reportedly romanced back in 2018, put the Migos star on blast for direct messaging her on Instagram over the weekend, even sharing video as she checked her phone to show the direct message (DM) definitely came from Offset’s account.
She added: “Your wife @iamcardib has a OPEN CRIMINAL CASE, why are you writing me you don’t respect her???????”
But Cardi took to social media on Tuesday to defend her husband, insisting Offset is too ill to DM anyone.
“Just woke up and we dealing with this s##t,” Cardi wrote. “This guy’s Instagram has been hacked… this boy got a cold, I got a very crazy stomachache. I’m about to go to the hospital.
“I know he’s done some dumb s##t. Everybody know he’s done some dumb s##t. But n##gas ain’t dumb, n##gas ain’t crazy. We had a sweet weekend life been good. That’s why I’m not entertaining the BS (sic).”
Cardi went on to explain Offset is unable to log in to his social media accounts.
(AllHipHop News) Marion “Suge” Knight’s former attorney could be looking at five life sentences in prison for his role in massive scheme to steal millions of dollars from the Federal government.
Just weeks after Thaddeus Culpepper was arrested for trying to bribe a witness for Suge, the lawyer was busted for more felonious activity.
In October of 2018, Federal prosecutors charged Thaddeus Culpepper and held him without bail after he “had the audacity” to deposit a fraudulent $1 million check.
The Feds say Culpepper was involved in an ongoing scheme between April 2015 and August 2017, in which he opened three different lawyer trust accounts at three different banks.
Culpepper allegedly deposited a total of $1,312,272.21 in 21 phony tax refund checks, including a single check for $1,003,814.
The disgraced lawyer was supposedly out working his scam, just weeks after he became the target of law enforcement in the high-profile murder case involving Marion “Suge” Knight.
Thaddeus Culpepper could be facing way more time than his former client Suge Knight.
He is already facing three years for witness tampering charges over his involvement in the Suge Knight case.
Now he’s facing 500 years in prison for 7 counts of bank fraud, 1 count of aggravated identity theft, 17 counts of theft of government property, and 17 counts of passing forged Treasury checks.
Thaddeus Culpepper is planning to go to trial on March 10th, 2020.
T.I. caused a social media uproar when he announced he visits his 18-year-old daughter’s gynecologist appointments with her. He said he wants to make sure she is still a virgin, but ensures it’s out of love and protection.
Many expressed their concerns calling the rapper controlling and saying his decision was an invasion of privacy. Well, Rah Digga has stepped in to support T.I. and has posted a series of tweets emphasizing how ridiculous it is that New York will place a “purity exam” stopping doctors from doing virginity checks!
(AllHipHop News) Rapper and chef Action Bronson is expanding his culinary brand with a line of ice cream sandwiches for the holidays.
The hip-hop star and cookbook author has teamed up with Nicholas Morgenstern from famed New York hotspot Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream for a limited edition collection of desserts as part of his “F**k, That’s Delicious” enterprise, which began as a culinary travel show.
Together, they have used special ingredients, like Japanese citrus fruit yuzu, lemons from Israel, and tonka beans from South America, to create the selection of unique ice cream sandwiches, which are being sold together as one package.
The concoctions include the Indiana Jones, made with strawberry ice cream, tahini ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, and pistachio pesto, and the Easy Lover, featuring raspberry ice cream, raspberry pink peppercorn jam, and dark chocolate dip.
There’s also one named after Bronson’s 2018 album, White Bronco, with ingredients including tonka bean streusel, fried Brazil nuts, and olive oil cake.
The seasonal offering will also come with specially-made merchandise under the “F**k, That’s Delicious” powered by Morgenstern’s” banner.
“These ice creams are beautiful,” Bronson says in a statement. “They’re each their own composed art piece as if you’re sitting at any fine dining establishment with many stars.”
Morgenstern adds, “These are individual ice cream experiences. We’ve spent a tremendous amount of time tapping into Action’s nostalgia, using my team’s and my expertise to bring them to life.
“We’ve created with Michelin-starred chefs from all over the world, famous artists, etc. but we’ve never done anything like this. There’s no comparison – Action brought ideas to the table that we never would have thought of and that have really pushed the envelope of taste, texture, and creativity.”
Just 500 of the holiday packages have been made available to customers, with pre-orders beginning on Monday (December 2nd)- Bronson’s birthday.
The rapper has previously worked with Morgenstern’s tastemakers for one-off creations in celebration of his “Stoned Beyond Belief” book, his appearance at the New York leg of the Rolling Loud Festival, and Halloween.
